# Keyboards

## ANSI Keyboard Layout With Form Factor

Should you have only one device to interact with your computers, **keyboard** is definitively a good choice.

Touch devices require rare raw material, and are hard to maintain during time.

![ANSI Keyboard Layout With Form Factor](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/37/ANSI_Keyboard_Layout_Diagram_with_Form_Factor.svg/1280px-ANSI_Keyboard_Layout_Diagram_with_Form_Factor.svg.png)

## Galaxie Clan Keyboards

### Specs

The ideal feature set for keyboards from our point of view would be:

* **Waterproof**

The keyboard should support outdoor environment exposition during long period with minimal intervention, and stay functional.

* **Hotswap keys**

No need to replace the entire keyboard for one touch it cause trouble. Keys have to be hot swappable. Spare key's can be useful.

* **Capability change keys caps**

Capability to use custom layout like FR, DE or ES is required, the flat key like DSA Profile.

* **Bluetooth**

Unfortunally wireless requires battery that can be a source of trouble over time. If Bluetooth is present, care aboue the 
battery replacement, or the ability to use it also in a wired mode.

* **Arrows key**

Arrow keys are required for the keyboard, that excludes a certain amount of keyboard form factor. 
A console without Arrow key is less fun.

* **Small form factor**

The fact we target a small case box as enclosure mean size of devices is important. A full size keyboard is 
normaly excluded. 65%, 75%, 80% look to be a good compromise (40% and 60% seems too small).

* **Noise**

With the apability to change keys, mechanical keyboard jump in the selection. Our target will be the less noise possible.
Low profile mechanical can help to reduce the noise produced.


## Mechanical keyboards

### 65% [KeyChron K6](https://www.keychron.com/products/keychron-k6-wireless-mechanical-keyboard)

  * ANSI Layout
  * White Blacklight
  * Bluetooth and Wired
  * Hotswappable
  * Have two function keys

### 70% [KeyChron K14](https://www.keychron.com/products/keychron-k14-wireless-mechanical-keyboard)

  * ANSI Layout
  * White Blacklight
  * Bluetooth and Wired
  * Hotswappable
  * Have two function keys


### Keychron keyboard configuration

Keychron Keyboards on GNU/Linux use the ``hid_apple`` kernel module, both in Bluetooth and Wired modes.

By default, this module uses the F(unction)-keys as multimedia shortcuts and you have to press ``Fn + F-key`` to get the usual F1 through F12 keys.

In order to change this, you need to change the ``fnmode`` parameter for the ``hid_apple`` kernel module.

[Official documentation](https://help.ubuntu.com/community/AppleKeyboard#Change_Function_Key_behavior)

**``fnmode`` values**

* ``0 = disabled`` 
    * Disables the ``fn`` key. 
    * Pressing ``fn + F8`` will behave like you only press ``F8``
* ``1 = fkeyslast``
    * Function keys are used as last key.
    * Pressing ``F8`` key will act as a special key.
    * Pressing ``fn + F8`` will behave like a ``F8``.
* ``2 = fkeysfirst``
    * Function keys are used as first key.
    * Pressing ``F8`` key will behave like a ``F8``. 
    * Pressing ``fn + F8`` will act as special key (play/pause).

```shell
	echo "options hid_apple fnmode=2 swap_fn_leftctrl=0 swap_opt_cmd=1" | sudo tee /etc/modprobe.d/hid_apple.conf
	sudo update-initramfs -u
	sudo systemctl reboot
```
[source](https://gist.githubusercontent.com/andrebrait/961cefe730f4a2c41f57911e6195e444/raw/7e2f0812a783dd98579655d05b54778375c6b459/keychron_linux.md)